CAN YOU LOVE ME LIKE MY DOG??
                                (for Toby and Jr.)
Anyone who has ever had a dog knows dogs give unconditional love.
It occurred to me that maybe they're here to show us how. And remember as Bob Barker would say, "have your pet spayed or neutered".

Could you celebrate each spring by helping me dig up all the flower beds?

Could you smother me with kisses each time I enter the room, even though I've only been gone for thirty seconds?

Could you always think I look great, no matter what I have on?

Could you savor whatever I put in front of you, even though it's straight from the can?

Could you forgive anything and never hold a grudge, especially when it's my fault?

Could you never have a bad day?

Could you like my dirty clothes and smelly gym shoes, the dirtier and smellier the better?

Could you not mind when I say you have death breath?

Could you always be interested in meeting new people, but always come back to me?

Could you pant for me?

Could you lick my toes?

Could you take it in stride when I pull your nose out of other people's business?

Could you always bump into doorways and walls in your rush to greet me?

Could you like it when I grab your tail?

Could you always be nice to my friends and family?

Could you not care if people stare when you're doing leg lifts?

Could you just spit it out if there's something you don't like?

Could you be sorry if you bark at me?

Could you always be thrilled to go on a drive or errand, as long as it's with me?

Could you follow me anywhere?

Could you always announce it's bedtime with huge yawns that squeak at the end?

Could you never stop heavy-breathing in my ear?

Could you hunt around for what's new to do and see?

Could you leave when I say it's time to go home?

Could you never change how you feel about me?

Could you whimper and whine when we're apart?

Could you entertain me when you sleep by snorting and pawing the air?

Could you always nuzzle my neck?

Could you warn the whole neighborhood when things go bump in the night?

Could you always protect me?

Could you prowl the streets and alleys for something unusual to bring home?

Could you always curl up beside me?

Could you never stop putting your head in my lap?

Could you always be the same little puppy inside, even when you're old and gray?

Could you jump me within two seconds of when I walk in the door?

Could you always keep me warm?

Could you let me read the newspaper before you teat into it?

Could you always wake me up with a kiss?

Could you point out interesting people and things, even if you have to drag me over to see them?

Could you never criticize me?

Could you work out my arms as well as my legs every time we go for a walk?

Could you worship the Frisbee?

Could you never hesitate to ask for seconds?

Could you feel okay if you lose some hair?

Could you stop if I restrain you?

Could you answer the door prepared to defend me from strangers and people in uniforms (especially the mail man)?

Could you always be happy with what you have?

Could you love the smell of my hair, my hands, my clothes, my ears...my any- and everything?

Could you always help clean out the refrigerator?

Could you bury and forget any bones I pick with you?

                 ...more to come later...
                        love Sonia